Interactive inventor&#39;s menus within a software computer and video display system

ABSTRACT

An interactive menu apparatus and method within a software computer video display system for creating inventions or prospects for inventions, via the juxtaposition of concepts or words, defined from word paths or sets displayed on the menu, from one to six simulated spun reels or drums below the menu, seen through one to thirty open spaces, cells or windows on the menu. In the preferred embodiment, the INVENTOR&#39;S MENU TTT t.m, nine space grid, is utilized.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation and improvement of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/728,370, filing date: Dec. 4, 2000 now abandoned, and claimspriority to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/910,608, filed Jul. 23, 2001,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Theearlier filing date of this application is hereby claimed.

Three Disclosure Documents (See MPEP § 1706), relative to the threemodels of the instant invention, have been filed with the Patent andTrademark Office:

Model 1, the Inventor's Menu, filed Jun. 6, 2002, document number512932.

Model 2, the Inventor's Menu TTT, filed May 14, 2002 document number511528.

and, Model 3, for Inventor's Menu, Maxi and Mini, filed Aug. 16, 2002document number 516628.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Menus of various types are used in computer software. These menusdisplay configurations, cells, windows and icons of all sorts for anynumber of different purposes but, to date, no such menu has beendeveloped for the specific purpose of inventing via a menu and apparatuswithin a software computer and video display system—which, in this caseis capable of utilizing any word or concept found on the internet toinvent with, and, in the case of the INVENTOR'S MENU TTT model (with TTTdenoting Tic Tac Toe) inventing is made a very easy, quick, and funprocess.

Because the inventor's menus are used with internet art, normally, whichis always current (and always will be), the instant invention willalways be current.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor's menus are unequaled aids to invention, which can be usedby nearly anyone in the world, especially by people with access to theinternet, and a web site such as INVENTIVE-INTERNET.COM owned by theinventor of the instant invention although software packages, having themenus art, may be very effective.

Further, they enable anyone, from a child to a scientist, to becomeinventive or more inventive due to the pioneer methods and menuapparatuses utilized, which make inventing as fun and fast as ispossible, yet also as comprehensive and productive as is possible, dueto all of the aspects of the instant invention, and, in most cases, theutilization of the massive source of concepts found on the internet, orlike means, and the ability, via the menus, to juxtapose almost anyinternet concept against any concept denoted on an inventor's menu.

The interactive menus enable people, around the world, to be able tojuxtapose almost any kind of concept (i.e., words, pictures, symbolsetc. or written descriptions of pictures or symbols) in the worldagainst any other kind of concept in the world, via the use of theinternet, and its immense source of concepts, to create inventions orprospects for inventions.

The interactive menus provide the most comprehensive inventive tool inhistory.

The interactive menus provide the most useable inventive tool inhistory.

The interactive menus provide the most productive inventive tool inhistory.

The interactive menus provide the current fastest inventive tool.

The interactive menus provide an inventive means which is the most funto use to invent with.

These and other features and objects will be apparent upon considerationof the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof,presented in connection with the following drawings in which likereference numerals identify like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1( a)–1(d) are drawings of menus according to various embodimentsof the invention.

FIGS. 2( a)–2(e) show the menus of FIG. 1 having some of the open spaceson the menu filled in with words from a list of words in separatecategories relating to each open space.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of the menu of FIG. 1( b) on a screen of a desk topcomputer display having religious symbols displayed from a web site onthe internet.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of the menu of FIG. 1( a ) on a desk top computerdisplay having a newspaper article taken from a web site.

FIG. 5( a) and 5(b) are drawings of menus referred to herein as theINVENTOR'S MENU TTT (Tic Tac Toe) Model 2, which has the classic directvertical alignment of the open spaces or cells or slots, and, the directhorizontal alignment of the open spaces or cells or slots.

FIGS. 5( c)–5(f) are drawings of menus according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6( a)–6(d) show 4 examples of various word paths or lines which mayproduce descriptions of inventions or prospects by reading the wordsshown through the open spaces of the menu of FIG. 5( a).

FIG. 7 shows an example of the menu of FIG. 5( a) superimposed over adesk top computer display, either over internet art, or with the menubeing used by itself.

FIG. 8 shows the menu of FIG. 5( a) superimposed over internet art on adesk top computer display.

FIG. 9( a) and 9(b) show 2 different styles of the menu of FIG. 5( a)having all 3 of the open spaces in each vertical column being filled inwith words, with the left and right vertical columns showing words fromsimulated drums or reels after they have been activated, and the centervertical columns, in each case, showing typed in key words. In readingeach menu, as described in FIG. 6 various descriptions of inventions andprospects are revealed.

FIG. 10 shows examples of menus according to embodiment of the inventionon a video display or terminal screen.

FIGS. 11( a)–11(h) show menus according to various embodiments of theinvention.

FIGS. 12( a)–(e) show menu according to various embodiments of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Interactive menu apparatuses used within software computer and videodisplay systems, of all sorts, for all sorts or uses, have been widelyused for quite some time, but none have been developed to use solely asan inventive tool until now, via the 3 Models of the instant invention,the INVENTOR'S MENU.

Further, uses of all sorts, have been developed for using the internet,but none have been developed to use it solely as an inventive tool.

The instant invention combines the use of inventive menus along withinternet art to create the most powerful, comprehensive, easy to use,and fun inventive tool.

The drawings provided as part of this patent application, show FIGS.1–12, which generally depict the inventor's menus utilized in aninteractive menu like apparatus and method within a software computerand video display system for creating inventions or prospects forinventions via the juxtaposition of words or concepts displayed on theinventor's menu.

All of the styles of menus shown in FIGS. 1–4 show menus which have theopen spaces or cells or slots on the left side of the menu staggered.Normally, however, all of the open spaces or cells or slots. on theinventor's menus, be they on the left or right or in any center positionon the menu are directly in line, vertically, in a column.

More specifically, FIGS. 1–12, depict the inventor's menus utilized inan interactive menu apparatus and method within a software computer andvideo display system for creating inventions or prospects for inventionsvia the juxtaposition of words or concepts displayed on a menu anywhereon the video display system. The menu apparatus is comprised of a onespace to thirty space open cell or window grid above, below, oralongside a line or lines of command icons on the menu, normally on thenon open heading of the menu or on a non open area on the sides or atthe bottom of the menu, used for creating inventions or prospectsdefined by the word or concept paths or sets shown through the singularor multi open spaces on the grid from normally one to six simulatedrotating drums or reels normally below the open spaces on the menuapparatus, which is a normally rectilinear, simulated cover, havinglines separating the individual open spaces provided in front of saidsimulated rotating drums or reels. Each drum or reel has a plurality ofwords of an individual category or concepts on it. The one to six drumsor reels are spun, briefly, to randomly generate a set of words orconcepts viewable through the open spaces, which juxtapose in somedirect line or skipping fashion, in any order, to define an invention orprospect based on the outcome of the randomly generated word paths orsets which are shown on the inventor's menu.

Finally, in this regard FIGS. 5–9 depict a specialized inventor's menu(the INVENTOR'S MENU TTT) utilized in an interactive menu apparatus andmethod within a software computer and video display system for creatinginventions or prospects for inventions via the juxtaposition of words orconcepts displayed on a menu anywhere on the video display system. Themenu apparatus is comprised of a nine space open cell or window grid,which may be above, below, or alongside a line or lines of command iconson the menu.

A menu like apparatus of FIG. 10 is shown wherein words or concepts,usually key words or list words, and usually from the authorscopyrighted creative works, but sometimes from any word or descriptionin words or a concept, shown on the internet or like means or sometimesfrom a persons mind, typed in over the 1–30 space open cell or window onthe grid on the menu. Words from lists, indexes, articles, or fromdescriptions of pictorial depictions being very useful in the inventiveprocess.

A menu like apparatus of FIG. 5( a) is shown wherein words or concepts,usually keywords or list words, and usually from the authors copyrightedcreative works, but sometimes from any word or description in words of aconcept, shown on the internet or like means or sometimes from a personsown mind, may be typed in over the 9 space open cell on the grid on themenu. Words from lists, indexes, articles or from descriptions ofpictorial depictions being very useful in the inventive process.

A menu like apparatus for creating inventions or prospects forinventions via the juxtaposition of words or concepts is shown in FIG.10, wherein one to five rows of words or concepts from the drums orreels are aligned in a horizontal plane on the menu as seen through itsopen, lined, spaces, cells or windows.

A menu like apparatus for creating inventions or prospects via thejuxtaposition of words or concepts is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5( c)–5(f)three rows of words or concepts from the drums or reels are aligned in ahorizontal plane on the menu as seen through its open, lined, spaces,cells or windows.

A menu like apparatus for creating inventions or prospects via thejuxtaposition of of words or concepts is shown in FIG. 5( a). One to sixrows, or columns, of words or concepts from the drums or reels arealigned in a vertical plane on the menu as seen through its open, lined,spaces, cells or windows.

A menu like apparatus for creating inventions or prospects forinventions via the juxtaposition of words or concepts of FIG. 5( a).Three rows or columns of words or concepts are aligned in a verticalplane on the menu as seen through its open, lined, spaces, cells orwindows.

Each drum or reel having a plurality of words or concepts are shown inFIG. 5( a), wherein the words, if taken from the authors copyrighted orpatent applied for creative works, and any part thereof, especially fromany index part of the work or if it is constructed by the user of themenu, are arranged from A-Z, and usually are grouped in a separatecategory for each wheel, usually in things, function & miscellaneous,and shapes categories.

The simulated rotating drums or reels of Model 3 is shown, wherein thereels or drums comprise; a singular rotating drum or reel or 2–6rotating drums or reels adjacent to each other having a outer surface onwhich a plurality of words or concepts are shown, which is rotatablearound an axis; a rotation control means for controlling rotations ofsaid singular or 2–6 rotating reels or drums, separately.

The simulated rotating drums or reels of Model 2 is shown, wherein thereels or drums comprise; a first rotating, center, drum having an outerperipheral surface on which a plurality of words or concepts are shown,which is rotatable around an axis; a second rotating drum having anouter surface on which a plurality of words or concepts are shown, whichis arranged adjacent to one side of the first rotating drum androtatably around said axis; a third rotating drum having an outerperipheral surface on which a plurality of words or concepts are shown,which drum is arranged adjacent to the other side of the first, center,rotating drum and rotatably on said axis; a rotation control means forcontrolling rotations of said first, second, and third drums,separately.

A menu like apparatus of Models 1 and 3, wherein, a line or lines ofcommand icons on the menu normally on the non open heading of the menuor on a non open area on the sides or at the bottom or top area of themenu, wherein the standard arrangement of command icons for controllingthe 2–6 simulated rotating drums, each having a plurality of words, andeach with an individual category of words, would be, from left to right:(1) shapes category icon controlling the first reel or drum and itsrandom spins, (2) function & miscellaneous icon, controlling the secondreel and its random spins, (3) prospect icon, with prospects being typedin or deleted, in conventional computer fashion, over the open spaces,cells, or windows over the third reel or if no prospects are typed in,the second reel would be used and activated or spun and used in the samefashion as the things reel and would show things, (4) key word icon,with key words being typed in or deleted in conventional computerfashion over the open spaces, cells, or windows over the fourth reel orif no key words are typed in this reel would be activated or spun andused in the same fashion as the things reel and would show things (5)things category icon, controlling the fifth reel and its random spins,and (6) another things category icon, controlling the sixth wheel andits random spins, for example to activate the brief random spin of thefirst reel, wheel, drum or however described the user would click on tothe “R” or random icon and then the “S” or shapes icon, and to activatethe second reel the user would click on to the “R” or random icon andthe “F” or function and miscellaneous icon, and to activate the thirdreel the user would click on to the “R” or random icon and the “P” orprospect icon to produce a list of things, and to activate, and toactivate the fourth reel the user would click on to the “R” or randomicon and “K” the key word icon to produce a list of things, and toactivate the fifth reel the user would click on to the “T” or thingsicon to produce a list of things, and to activate sixth reel the userwould click on to the “R” or random icon and “T” or its things icon,and, in all cases, each icon for each reel would have a set of up/downscroll icons adjacent to it for slowly scrolling up or down the entirelist of words in the category, accomplished by clicking on either the upor down icon, and after proceeding in the direction indicated clicking,again, to stop the scroll.

The menu of 1–6 reels or drums, wherein the largest menu would be idealto develop prospects for inventions, and the smallest would be ideal foruse on a crowded screen or as a way to leave the one reel, one categorycell, and one open space cell or window menu on the screen at all times,and when the user thinks of it he may juxtapose the word shown on thesmallest menu against what ever of the many words or concepts may alsobe shown on the screen, and thus often create unusual ideas.

Regarding command icons, there would be a line of command icons on themenu normally on the menus open heading of the menu or on a non openarea on the sides or at the bottom of the menu of model 2, wherein thestandard arrangement of icons for controlling the simulated tic tac toelike reels or drums, and their plurality of individual category words,would be the following: (1) things category icon, controlling the leftreel or drum and its random spins, (2) key word icon, with key wordsbeing typed in or deleted in a conventional computer fashion over theopen spaces, cells, or windows over the center reel or if no key wordsare typed in the center reel or drum it would be activated or spun andused in the same fashion as the things reels or drums or reels showingthings at the left and right of the center reel, (3) the random icon,used to activate the spin of all of the reels or drums in conjunctionwith the individual reels category icons and, (4) things category iconcontrolling the right reel or drum and its random spins, for example toactivate the brief random spin of the left reel or drum the user wouldclick on to the “R” or random icon and then the “T” or things icon onthe left side of the menu, and to activate the brief, random, spin ofthe right reel or drum the user would click on to the “R” or random iconant then the “T” or things category icon on the right side of the menu,and to activate the spin of the center reel or drum, not having keywords typed in over it on the menu, the user would click on to the “R”or random icon then “K” the key word icon.

Further, there would be a line or lines of command icons on the menu onmodels 1 and 3, wherein the word category icons may be arranged ineither a horizontal or vertical line or a combination of such lines, inany fashion.

Finally, regarding the inventive interactive menu apparatus of models 1and 3, wherein the components cited may be of any configuration, numberor combination, and each model many be identified by an individualnumber or alphanumeric identification so that each may be pulled up fromsoftware by clicking on to the specific, individual, number oralphanumeric identification designating the model to be used on screen.

And, regarding an inventive, interactive, tic tac toe like menuapparatus and method of model 2, wherein the apparatus and method may beutilized on any kind of non computerized, game or teaching, mechanicalor literary or pictorial or any such combination.

Model 1. (FIGS. 1-4)

To create a new idea, invention or prospect using the interactive, menuapparatus and method within the video display system of the instantinvention this inventors menu is superimposed at the bottom of any kindof screen on any type of computerized device having a screen, whichnormally is connected to the internet, and its displayable art.

For example, FIG. 3, shows the Style 2 menu, 10 (FIG. 1( b)) on thescreen of a conventional desk top computer 300 having internet art(religious symbols, 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c, in this case) and a situationwhere the user typed in CHRISTIAN CROSS, 14, as the key word or keyconcept to be used to juxtapose against other words or concepts on theInventor's Menus (in most cases the words on lists developed for themenus and part of the software are more than adequate) or against anyart (word, concept, symbol, picture) found anywhere on the internet orin the users mind to produce the invention via the juxtaposition ofconcepts.

In this case, the Inventor's Menu 10 is shown below the internet art,with a matrix of four open space cells or slots on the menu, but anumber of differently configured menus may be located anywhere on anyvideo display screen, on the bottom, top, sides etc., and the menus maybe comprised of many differently configured open space grids (with oneopen space generally used for the entry of typed in words or concepts towork with, specifically a key word or key concept described in words)for showing words from a variety of sources, lists, mostly) and iconarrangements down to menus or portions of menus having only one keyword, and open space cell, on the smallest menu possible.

FIG. 4 shows the Style 1 menu, 20 (of FIG. 1( a)) on the screen of aconventional computer 300 having internet art from the USA Todaynewspaper, 22, and a miscellaneous section showing BASKETBALL MADNESS,24, as a good key word or key concept to work with in inventing, and wastyped in as the key word, 26, in the open space cell, at the bottom ofthe line of open space cells located on the menu.

Note: new products or exotic concepts are often good candidates for keywords or key concepts to use to develop improvement inventions.

Further, almost every new invention has a possibility of being used todevelop a new invention, by making it a key concept or word andinventing in the matter spelled out in this patent application whichessentially allows for developing ways to add a new feature or functionor shape to the new invention to make yet another new invention. Also,new inventions can be broken down to their components or features orfunctions and those individual components or features or functions canbe made key concepts or key words and be processed accordingly.

The design of the Inventor's Menus are capable of listing any kind ofword or concept used in the inventive process from word or concept listseither of the users own making or lists found anywhere or from the liststhat are part of the Inventor's Menus software or by defining almost anykind of non word concept, with words, and then juxtaposing that conceptor the words, on the menu, itself or against the words or concepts onthe internet, or both ways, thus making the Inventor's Menus thegreatest inventive tool, ever, which can never be exceed.

Specifically, to use the Inventor's Menu of FIG. 1( a) you:

First type in a key word in the cell or slot provided, which you obtainfrom the INVENDEX t.m. (a book written, years back by the inventor ofthis invention) lists (which are normally part of the software of theInventor's Menus) or from your own mind or from anywhere on the internet(you do not have to limit yourself to the words you find because you cantype in a description of anything you see on the internet, be it apicture or symbol or what ever).

Then to juxtapose your key word with other words or concepts to createideas, or inventions or prospects you decide which category of words,taken from the INVENDEX t.m. (things, function & miscellaneous orshapes) you want to work with.

Please note that with this model of the Inventor's Menu the open spaces,or cells or slots have icon F (for function and miscellaneous words,from the INVENDEX t.m.) and icon S (for shapes, from the INVENDEX t.m)and icon T (for things, from the INVENDEX) and has all of those openspaces cells or slots directly aligned, to the far left side of the menuand in a vertical line).

Then to show the first word of the list you will work with click on toeither icons, F, 30, for function & miscellaneous words, S, 32, forshape words or T. 34, for words that describe things (all of which willbe positioned ahead, or before) what ever key word you may use in theopen cell or slot, 35, which is located on the center of the bottomhorizontal line of cells or slots on the menu. Please note there isanother cell or slot, 37 on the right end of the series of open cells orslots at the bottom of the menu.

Then to juxtapose the entire list of the category of words you arematching against your key word or key concept click on to the S icon,scroll, 36, in the fourth box in the line of icons at the top, right,side of the menu, and to control the speed of the scroll click on to thearrow icons, 38 or 40 (away from the point of the arrow for the fastestscroll) and choose the upward pointing arrow to scroll up or thedownward pointing arrow to scroll down the list of words in the categorywords you use, which are shown through the open spaces or cells or slotsused (from simulated rotating reels or wheels having the list wordsdenoted on them). Then search until you find a category list word whichmatches with your typed in key word to create an invention (the key wordin this instance being CHEESEHEAD, a new fad awhile back which was easyto improve via the teachings of the Inventor's Menu's).

When you do find a combination of a list word and the key word that youlike as an invention click on the I, invention icon, 42, to store thatidea, and after you have a number of inventions you may click on to L,list icon, 44, to review your list of inventions. You may then click onto the P, print icon, 46, to print your list of inventions.

Thereafter, you may select any or all of the other category lists ofwords to work with to further improve or expand your denoted idea orprospect or invention, again following steps 2–5 until you come to aninvention (or what ever) made up of your key and the maximum of 3additional different types of words (from the things, function &miscellaneous, and shapes lists) positioned on the menu either before orafter the key.

Styles 2, 3, and 4 (shown in FIGS. 1( b), 1(c), 1(d), respectively)proceed downward in their capability to match the categories of listwords with a key word, with Style 4 being the least capable, again, seeFIG. 3. Finally, in this regard, FIGS. 2( a)–2(e) show examples ofinventions or prospects developed on the different styles of the Model1, by the alignment of words which produce/define different types ofimproved cheesehead products.

Model 2. (FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b)

The Model 2, known as the INVENTOR'S MENU TTT t.m. (with TTT denoting,Tic Tac Toe) is an upgraded version of Model 1. (known as the originalINVENTOR'S MENU t.m.) and is identified in this patent application asStyles 5-A and 5-B, which are the primary preferred embodiments.

This style menu, like the Model 1 styles, is normally used oil a videodisplay terminal or screen having internet. But, it may also be used onany kind of game, including pay to play arcade games, which utilizesoftware and a screen and a control means. And it may be varied to beused as some sort of slot machine of any kind. Also, the art may beincorporated into a variety of computer software products.

This interface menu, with its ability to enable the user to quicklyjuxtapose nine different words or concepts on a familiar Tic Tac Toeconfigured grid on a menu apparatus, and with its capacity to add newwords or concepts to the mix, makes this tool the fastest, and currentlythe most powerful inventive tool.

This menu ( FIGS.5 (a) and 5(b)) generally consists of an interfacesoftware, Tic Tac Toe style, inventive game having three, simulated,spaced wheels or reels with words (or concepts) on them (from theinventor's book the INVENDEX t.m. or from other lists from books etc.written by the inventor of the instant invention) as they appear on avideo display terminal or screen having the menu (with nine, seethrough, recit-linear open spaces or cells) superimposed over them.

No physical wheels are utilized in the spinning of the wheels (whichalso is a simulation) and the seeming spinning of the wheels justappears to be that from the way the software displays the art of thewheels through the viewable open spaces of the menu the wheel or reelsthrough the viewable open spaces or cells on the menu, with its nineopen, rectilinear (in this instance) spaces or cells (forming a tic tactoe configured grid) positioned above the simulated wheels or reels(note: in an alternative embodiment the wheels my be actual, mechanical,wheels having words denoted on them).

Each simulated wheel shows three words through the three open spaces onthe menu column which they are directly aligned with so that the threewheels will show nine words through the nine menu open spaces after thewheels have been activated (or 3 words per wheel shown behind the 3columns of open rectilinear spaces).

With this model of the menu all nine of the open spaces on the grid maybe used to type in other words by moving a curser to each space andtyping in words of the users choosing, and then, as desired, removingthe typed in words by deletion or backspacing leaving the spaces to showonly the words that would otherwise show from the wheels through theopen spaces. When this type in function is used the open spaces wouldautomatically be provided with a background so that the words from thewheels or reels would not show through.

In any event, at most times there would be nine words (hereafterconcepts will not be added) which could be used to invent with toproduce product descriptions via the juxtaposition of the words shown(in a tic tac toe manner) with normally three words aligned eithervertically, horizontally, or diagonally as in a tic tac toe game, withthe word paths or lines beginning from either end of the line (as in tictac toe) or in any manner which the arrangement of three columns ofthree words would allow (in a series of two to nine words, normally)which could also involve skipping spaces in a word path which woulddescribe an invention using a “bouncing around” manner of any kind.(organized or random) in other words utilizing the nine displayed wordsin all the combinations which would be possible mathematically. Meaningthat just one set of nine words (which can be produced, in seconds, overand over again) would be an extremely potential source forwords/concepts to invent with, and invention is all about the matchingof words or concepts.

The style 5 menu is used by spinning (activating) the wheels on the leftand right side of the menu, and when they come to rest juxtaposing thewords displayed through the open rectilinear spaces of the menu againstthe key words displayed (typed in) on the center column of spaces on themenu (in continuing lines) with the word paths (which may describe aninvention) starting from either end of the line. And, to be candid, mostinventions produced will probably involved only two words.

In reading the combinations of words produced by the activation of the1–3 wheels (or just the left and right wheel, plus the key word{s}entered on the center wheel) the approach is to take one word (usuallythe key word or KEY) and match it with another word that is directlyadjacent to it (above, below, alongside or diagonally) until aninvention is defined by two words or a series of words, up to nine words(shown in the nine rectilinear spaces after the activation of thewheels) through a series of nine words describing an invention would beextremely rare.

Regarding the center wheel and its column of three words it should benoted that indeed words may be typed in the rectilinear spaces, and ifthey are each typed in, the words would be superimposed over the list ofwords otherwise shown through from the center wheel (with said wordsbeing in this case taken from the inventor's work INVENDEX t.m.) butwhich may be taken from any of the inventor's copyrighted words or fromany list or index or the like from anywhere). Thereafter, to remove thetyped in words normal computer functions, like “delete” and “backspace”are used.

If words are not typed in all of the three spaces in the center columnthen the list of “things” (again, from the INVENDEX t.m. NOTE: in allinstances in this disclosure, the list words on all of the wheels aretaken from the INVENDEX t.m., and with the Style 5-A of FIG. 5( a) allof the words are “things” and with the Style 5-B of FIG. 5( b) the righttwo wheels have “things” but the left wheel has function andmiscellaneous words taken from the INVENDEX t.m. normally found on thecenter wheel could be displayed by clicking on the “R” or Random andthen “KEY” icons to activate the lists (NOTE: all reels or wheels, onceactivated, move at different speeds after each activation, resulting ina different 3 word set of words on each wheel being displayed in therectilinear spaces each time, so as to provide a great variety of wordsto match “work with” after all three wheel, or even two wheels havestopped, which happens after a brief period of time) or “spin them”(meaning the list of words are displayed past the open rectilinearspaces in a top to bottom sequence, normally, However, in an alternativeembodiment words may be made to appear “one at a time” in any sequencein the 9 space grid or at the same time via a non spinning wheel,software, function.

To activate the spin of the left wheel, in the menu of FIG. 5( a), theoperator would click on the “R” or Random box (icon) and then the “T”(Things) icon at the left side of the menu (Things, again, taken fromthe INVENDEX t.m.).

To activate the spin of the right wheel (or column of words or concepts)in the 5-A the operator would “click on” to the “R” or Random icon andthen the “T” icon on the right side of the menu.

When using the Style 5-B menu the only difference in the operation wouldbe the use of the Function & Miscellaneous words, which would bedisplayed on the left wheel and through the left side of open spaces onthe INVENTOR'S MENU TTT t.m., by first clicking on to the “R” icon andthen the “F” (or Function & Miscellaneous words) icon at the left of themenu.

To produce possible inventions or prospects the menu also allows theoption of spinning a choice wheel (or reel) again, and again, to induceinteractive plays until an invention or prospect is produced, whichnormally would not take to long (what other inventive method can claimthat) unless you use a Key Word that denotes an old concept, which hasbeen improved endlessly, leaving little room for other improvements.

Referring, again, to the menu of FIGS. 5( a), 52 (of FIG. 5( b)) and themenus 53, 54, 55, and 56 of FIGS 5(c)–5(f), respectively, and a threespace opening on the menus, all of which operate in the same fashion asthe preferred embodiment, but have less capability but take up less roomon the screen, which may be beneficial in some instances. Note: the menu52 may have an optional Things icon, 57 as shown in FIG. 5, so bothThings and Function & Miscellaneous may be juxtaposed on one screenmenu.

FIGS. 6( a)–6 d) show some of the many ways in which a series of words,taken after activating the wheels, may be aligned to produce inventionsvia juxtapositions and words paths, from a two word series to a nineword series (menu 60 of FIG. 6( a) shows examples of 3 word series,vertically, horizontally, and diagonally, in classic Tic Tac Toeconfigurations. Menu 61 of FIG. 6( a) is essentially the same as 60except it does not show any vertical alignment of words in the leftcolumns, because Function & Miscellaneous words (see the F icon shown on61) combined by themselves, are meaningless. 62 shows examples of twoword series which can create inventions by horizontal, vertical ordiagonal word paths. 63 shows an exotic example of a nine word seriesword path possibly defining an invention, but that would be a very rareoccurrence. It must be noted the word paths do not have to be in adirect line and a random, bouncing, pattern may be quite successful.Note: as you can see, the variations shown in II of FIG. 6, do not showany vertical alignment of words, in the left columns, becausecombinations of Function & Miscellaneous words by themselves aremeaningless.

FIG. 7 shows how the menu 52 of FIG. 5( b) would look superimposed overa desk top computer screen or almost any screen on which it may bedisplayed, which may have internet art or art of any kind of other artdisplayable meaning that any word shown on the menu can bejuxtaposed/matched against any word, picture, symbol etc. shown on thescreen above the menu. Obviously, the menu can also be used, by itself,or with any screen art shown.

FIG. 8 shows how the menu 50 of FIG. 5( a) would look like over a desktop computer screen or almost any type of screen on which it may bedisplayed, which may have internet art or any kind of artdisplayable—but, in this case had internet art showing religioussymbols. So, in this case, the menu may be used “as usual” or thedescription of the art (not otherwise defined by words) may be typed inon the center column of the menu (such as a picture of a ChristianCross) being typed in as a Key Word (or KEY) and then be juxtaposed, asusual, to produce inventions or prospects.

FIGS. 9( a) and 9(b) show actual samples of some series of words (orword paths) produced with the Style 5-A and 5-B menus, which wouldconstitute inventions or prospects.

In FIG. 9( a), the menu has cheesehead typed in on all three centercolumn spaces the following inventions or prospects are produced: SitterCheesehead, matching the top, left column, space entry with any of thecenter column space entries, all the same). Six Gun Cheesehead & SixPack Cheesehead are also produced by the left & center columns.

As can be seen in the top style match-ups other inventions or prospects(Cheeshead Visor, Cheesehead Vitamin, and Cheesehead Vodka) are alsoproduced in this case by center column and right column match ups ofwords. Note: the many examples of inventions produced in the top exampleare unusual and only happened because cheesehead is such a good ideal(or hot idea, especially at its beginning) to work with. Many newproducts or ideas are good candidates for improvement.

Finally, the menu (FIG. 9( b)) which shows a Key Word (cheesehead) typedonly in the center location of the center column of spaces, with the topand bottom spaces of that column showing words from the INVENDEX t.m.,shows: Infant Cheesehead, and Inflatable Cheesehead as inventionsresulting from the match-ups.

Model 3. FIGS. 5( c)–5(f))

The Model 3 Menu, know as the INVENTOR'S MENU, MAXI AND MINI t.m.pertains to expanded and reduced menu configurations and capabilities.

For example, FIG. 10 shows the simplest of these menus, the MINI, 70, atthe top of the video display or terminal screen, and the most elaborate,the MAXI, 72 at the bottom. Note: the MINI and MAXI, as well as anyINVENTOR'S MENU t.m. can be dragged to any location on any screen havingthat capability.

Specifically, FIG. 11 shows that the MAXI menu may range from having 5simulated reels/word columns/open spaces/and category cells to 1simulated reel/word column/open space/and category cell (as seen, theopen spaces are located in the word columns) see, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84,85, 86 and 87.

Menu 80 has 5 simulated reels (see 1–5) with word lists on them (usuallyfrom the INVENDEX t.m.) and 5 category cells (see 6–10) which showThings or Function & Miscellaneous or Shape(s) words or Key Words orProspects categories after the corresponding controlling icon is clickedon to (Note: S denotes Shapes, 80 a, F denotes Function & Miscellaneous,80 b, T denotes Things, 80 c, P denotes Prospect, 80 d, and K denotesKey or Key Word or concept, 80 e.

The full word list in the specific category is displayed from the reelthrough the open space columns (see 11–15) and to move the column oflist words on each reel the up/down icons are used (see 80 f, 80 g, 80h, 80 i, and 80 j).

It should be noted that Things from the Things list may be scrolled inthe Prospect or Key Word columns if a person has no Prospect or Key Wordof his own. But, a prospect is usually typed in after the clicking ofthe P icon, twice, and a Key Word is typed in after clicking on the Ktwice. Note. menu 81, shows the invention (or prospect) Cheesehead PokerParty, which was created by juxtaposing the key word typed in with listwords from the INVENDEX t.m. in two things categories. Also note that afour reel menu was not shown, as not being necessary.

Further, again relating to FIG. 10, a six reel, etc. Inventor's Menu isshown, but more reels, etc. may be part of such a menu.

Also, if the user clicks on a up/down scroll icon the word list willscroll slowly in the direction clicked on to. But, if that icon isclicked, twice, then the word list will spin, for a brief period oftime, and come to rest at a random location on the word list in thecategory used.

Finally, in this regard, FIG. 12, shows the MAXI which operates in thesame manner as the MINI and the other Inventor's Menus previously citedbut, is different in that it can range down to a one reel+one wordcolumn+one open space+one category cell, usually “things” menu, see 90,92, 94, 96 and 98.

All of the Models of the INVENTOR'S MENU t.m. may also be used tojuxtapose the words or concepts positioned on them not just against eachother, to create inventions or prospects, but also against any word orwords or concept or concepts found on the internet, or the like, or notor on any kind of literary expression or pictorial depiction or thelike, on any video display, with words or concepts from on line catalogsand lists, being very useful in the inventive process.

Regarding the vehicles for accessing the art of the instant invention auser would normally access a web site (INVENTIVE-INTERNET.COM is beingdeveloped by the inventor) having any or all of the INVENTOR'S MENU art(and likely all, or much, of the inventors other creative teachings) forfree (with sponsors paying for the site) but it is quite likely that aPay to Use site will also be made available, which should warrant acharge due to the greatness and uniqueness of the site. Also, softwarepackages will likely be marketed. Further, other avenues may be used,like a major search engine or web sites of some major software orcomputer companies, which may market the art in various way, one varietyof the art may be “infrared-ready.”

Regarding “the web” many ideal, inventive, tools are currently availableon it (and they will only increase, and many will always be current)such as: lists of any kind, be they word lists or pictorial lists etc.from books, catalogs, and publications of all sorts.

So, as an example, to create a new doll, various sites that list:dresses, dress designs, clothing etc., and types and colors of fabrics,and sites that list styles of dolls and or their parts etc. etc. willmake creating a new doll concept “a snap.” NOTE: an easy way to locate“lists” of any kind is to use Google, and type in “list+the kind of listwanted.”

Further, e-literature of all sorts imaginable, will become more andmore, comprehensive, and detailed, and complex, making any kind ofinventive project easy to handle.

Other variants and embodiments of the instant invention are possiblewithin the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by theappended claims.

1. A computerized method for facilitating an invention using theInternet, the method comprising the steps of: providing a menu to a useron an internet-enabled computer, the menu including at least one field;accepting a key element from a user via an input device, the inputdevice being connected to the internet-enabled computer; displaying thekey element in the field of the menu after the accepting step; visitingat least one website on the Internet using the internet-enabled computerto obtain a display of at least a portion of the website on a display ofthe internet-enabled computer, the portion of the website including atleast one website element, the website element being selected from thegroup consisting of a word, a symbol and a picture; superimposing themenu over the display of the portion of the website including the atleast one website element; whereby the user is presented with a displayincluding an invention prospect formed by the juxtaposition of thewebsite element and the key element displayed in the field of the menu.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one website elementcomprises a plurality of website elements.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising the step of assembling the plurality of websiteelements by performing a search on the Internet using a search engine.4. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of website elementscomprise words.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality ofwebsite ether elements comprise pictures.
 6. The method of claim 2,wherein the plurality of website elements comprise symbols.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the step of presenting a list ofsuggested key elements to the user, wherein the key element acceptedfrom the user is selected by the user from the list of suggested keyelements.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step ofselecting, by the user, a key element from among a plurality ofpotential key elements identified by performing a search of the Internetusing an internet search engine.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thekey element is typed by the user in the menu, the menu having a fieldtext box for accommodating a single word.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the menu is further provided with a plurality of list icons,each of which function to select a predetermined list of words, a spinicon which, when selected by the user, functions to select one word froma predetermined list of words corresponding to one of the plurality oficons selected by the user, and a key elements icon which functions toenter the word selected by the spin icon into the text box as the keyelement.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of iconscomprises a things icon corresponding to a list of thing words, afunctions and miscellaneous icon which corresponds to a list of functionand miscellaneous words, and a shapes icon which corresponds to a listof shape words.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the menu has a textbox for accommodating a plurality of words.
 13. A system forfacilitating an invention using the Internet, the system comprising: aninput device for accepting a key element from a user; and aninternet-enabled computer connected to the input device, the computerincluding a browser for displaying at least a portion of a web site to auser, the portion of the website including at least one website elementfrom the group consisting of a word, a symbol and a picture, thecomputer including a display; wherein the computer is configured toprovide the user with a menu, the menu having at least one field, accepta key element from the user using the input device, display the keyelement in the field of the menu, and superimpose the menu including thekey element over the display of the portion of the website including thewebsite element; whereby the user is presented with a display includingan invention prospect formed by the juxtaposition of the website elementand the key element.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at leastone website element comprises a plurality of website elements.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, the computer is further configured to assemble theplurality of website elements through a search on the Internet using asearch engine.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality ofwebsite elements comprise words.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein theplurality of website elements comprise pictures.